Filed Date: Dec. 16, 1980
Closed Date: 2002
Clearinghouse coding complete
On December 16, 1980, an individual employee filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against his employer, Trinity Industries. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, asked the court for compensation, back-pay, and injunctive relief because of alleged racial discrimination in placement, promotion, and hiring practices. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged that foremen positions were denied to qualified African-Americans. The employee sought to represent a class of similarly situated employees, and class certification was granted. The plaintiffs prevailed and the court awarded attorney's fees and costs. Shipes v. Trinity Industries, Inc., 685 F. Supp. 612 (E. D. Tex. 1987).
According to the PACER docket, on October 1, 1990, the court (Judge Justice) ordered that the defendant's liability for discrimination in promotions included liability for discrimination in promotions and in hiring. Injunctive relief was granted, and Trinity Industries created new standards for hiring and promoting African Americans. Additionally, back pay was rewarded. The parties continued to squabble about the payments of fees, and the case was finally closed February 6, 2002.
No further information on this case is available, as no court documents were accessible.
Summary Authors
Emily Kuznick (4/8/2008)
Daves, Larry R. (Texas)
Hahn, Ellen Bentley (Louisiana)
Brown, Russell Clay (Texas)
Harper, George A (Georgia)
Garrigan, Timothy Borne (Texas)
Justice, William Wayne (Texas)
Ward, T. John (Texas)
Last updated July 11, 2023, 10:05 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Texas
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Private Employment Class Actions
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 16, 1980
Closing Date: 2002
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
African-American employees
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Trinity Industries Transportation Inc., Private Entity/Person
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Issues
General:
Discrimination-area:
Discrimination-basis:
Race:
Affected Sex or Gender: